Wellbeing Scan

(20–40 weeks €150.00)
(Twins add €60)

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Well baby scans
Price: €150.00

This Wellbeing pregnancy scan is performed to determine the fetal position, growth, and size by measuring the size of the fetal head, abdomen and thigh bone. We will also examine fetal movements, placental position, amount of amniotic fluid and assess the blood flow from the placenta by colour flow Doppler when indicated. We check to see if the baby may be feet-first or buttocks first (breech), side-on (transverse) or at an angle (oblique) presentation. The placental site will also be assessed to rule out placenta praevia. We would include standard measurements, estimated fetal weight and heart rate.

Procedure Includes:

  • Ultrasound exam
  • Medical obstetric ultrasound report
  • Glossy picture print

Why Would I Need a Wellbeing Baby Scan?

Not all women need to have an ultrasound in the later part of their pregnancy.

  • Assessment of the baby’s size and (wellbeing): You may be concerned that your baby is too small, not growing well, or too large. Perhaps you have a condition that may affect the growth of the baby, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
  • Review of the placenta: You may wish to review the position of the placenta if there were concerns of a low-lying placenta on an earlier scan or if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding. Most women with a low-lying placenta seen at 18-20 weeks will not have a problem by the time they reach their third trimester. As the uterus expands, it tends to pull the placenta up and away from the cervix.
  • You may have symptoms such as pain, contractions, vaginal bleeding or reduced fetal movements. A wellbeing ultrasound can help provide reassurance that your baby is okay.
  • Review of the baby’s anatomy: You may wish to review a change in regards to a concern or which was noted on an earlier ultrasound examination.
  • Assess the position of the baby: You may be curious about the position of the baby (for example, if baby is lying in a cephalic (head down position). This becomes more important towards the end of the pregnancy when the delivery of your baby is near.
  • You have a twin/multiple pregnancy: Twins are at a higher risk of growth issues during the pregnancy. Depending on the type of twin pregnancy, your babies may also be at an increased risk of other complications and you may just want to be reassured that all is well.

What Will Be Assessed On a Wellbeing Baby Scan:

Measurements of the baby:

A Wellbeing ultrasound scan will commonly measure:

  • baby’s head - biparietal diameter (BPD) and head circumference (HC).
  • baby’s abdomen - abdominal circumference (AC).
  • baby’s leg - femur length (FL).

Each measurement is compared to a normal reference range, which varies with gestation. Every individual baby has its own characteristics (for example, some babies have bigger head measurements or shorter femur measurements). These characteristics are often similar to the baby’s parents (for example, one parent may have a big head or short legs).

Measurements outside the normal range are not always significant, especially if the difference is minimal. Your baby will be carefully assessed and additional measurements taken if there are concerns about significant deviations from normal.

Head, abdominal and femur measurements are combined in a special formula to estimate the weight of your baby.

The size of the baby (the estimated fetal weight).

The estimated fetal weight (EFW) is compared to the size of other babies at the same gestation.

This is often expressed as a percentile:

  • An EFW on the 50th percentile is an average sized baby.
  • An EFW less than the 10th percentile is a small baby.
  • An EFW more than the 90th percentile is a big baby.

This ultrasound weight is an estimation of your baby’s size only – there is a recognized 15% error in this estimation, with your baby being either 15% smaller or 15% larger than the estimated weight. While we recognize there is this error present in our estimation of your baby’s size, ultrasound remains the best way your doctor has of checking the size of your baby.

Every baby has its own individual growth pattern, and this can be monitored if there are concerns.

The amount of amniotic fluid around your baby:

The amount of amniotic fluid or liquor is usually expressed as an “amniotic fluid index” (AFI). This index is calculated by measuring the maximal vertical distance of fluid in each quadrant (or corner) of the pregnancy sac. There is a wide range for the normal volume of amniotic fluid in a pregnancy, and this range will vary with gestation.

Sometimes, the volume of fluid around your baby may be increased (polyhydramnios), or perhaps the volume of fluid around your baby is below the normal range (oligohydramnios). Changes in the fluid volume are not always significant, especially if the difference is minimal. If the fluid level is low you may be required to rest.

The blood flow in the umbilical cord (the umbilical artery):

The blood flow in the umbilical artery (which is in the baby's umbilical cord) will be measured when indicated and is known as an umbilical artery Doppler.

This may help assess the function of the placenta and the wellbeing of your baby. This measurement is usually expressed as a resistance index (RI). Babies that are not growing normally (known as growth restricted) may show progressive changes in the resistance of this artery. Changes in this measurement is not always significant, especially if the difference is minimal.

The baby’s heart rate and rhythm:

Your baby’s heart rate will vary, just as it does in adults. Most babies have a heart rate between 120-180 beats per minute.

The position of the baby:

This ultrasound will tell us what position the baby is lying in:

  • Head down (cephalic).
  • Bottom down, with the head at the top of the uterus (breech).
  • Sideways, across the uterus (transverse).

The position of the baby is more important towards the end of the pregnancy, when the baby is due for delivery.

The position of the placenta:

Your health care provider will want to know that the lowest edge (inferior margin) of the placenta is not lying too close to the cervix. This is known as placenta praevia or a low-lying placenta.

Transvaginal or translabial ultrasound may be required during your third trimester ultrasound if there are concerns about the position of the placenta, to get a better look at the cervix area and lower edge of the placenta. (the tranasvaginal or translabial ultrasound is not performed at our centre after the first trimester) If there is a concern we will advise you to contact your health care provider.

The anatomy of the baby:

As your baby grows during the pregnancy, it fills up the space inside the uterus, pressing its body against the wall of the uterus. This means some parts of the baby may be more difficult to see later in the pregnancy, especially hands and feet. The baby’s position will also affect how well some structures are seen, including the heart, face, and spine.

Some of the structures which we try to routinely review in a wellbeing ultrasound includes the baby’s kidneys, bladder and face.

The length of the cervix:

This is especially important if you have premature labour, vaginal bleeding or pain. The length of the cervix is not as important for us to know as you get closer to your due date (full term). Often the cervix is obscured from view by the baby’s head.

Sometimes a transvaginal ultrasound may be required to get a better view of the cervix. (not perfromed transvaginally at our centre but we will advise you to contact your health care provider)

What Will My Baby Look Like On An Ultrasound:

Beautiful and clear images of your baby, especially baby’s face, are often seen on a wellbeing scan later in pregnancy.

It is natural for many parents to think that as their baby grows bigger, it is always easier to see the baby on ultrasound. This is unfortunately not always true. Many parents find it more difficult to understand what they are looking at. Ultrasounds performed later in the pregnancy usually focuses on one part of the baby at a time for example, baby’s head. The baby’s size pervents us from viewing the whole body at once like we would on a 12 weeks scan. 

 

Many factors influence what parts of the baby can be seen to include the position of the baby, the volume of amniotic fluid (low fluid makes it harder to see) and the size of the mother’s abdomen (increasing skin thickness makes it harder to see). The sonographer will attempt to obtain the best possible images of your baby, and to explain these images as much as possible.

 

It is good for parents to anticipate seeing their growing baby, but not to be too disappointed if this ultrasound proves difficult to understand or the images of baby’s face are impossible to obtain.

Please Note: For Twins please add €60

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Wellbeing Scan FAQs

Do I need to book an appointment?

Yes, ultrasound exams do need an appointment.
If you cannot attend your appointment we appreciate it if you can give us 24 hours notice.

What stage do I have a wellbeing pregnancy scan?

We perform the wellbeing pregnancy scan from 20 weeks up to 40 weeks of pregnancy.

How should I prepare for a wellbeing pregnancy ultrasound?

When you attend for a wellbeing pregnancy ultrasound you do not need a filled urinary bladder to help view the pregnancy. You will need to know your established due date. It is important to wear loose comfortable clothing.

Why is a wellbeing scan performed?

An ultrasound during the later stages of the pregnancy is not always required but some parents feel they would like another ultrasound assessment of the baby’s development in the womb during pregnancy. You may also have symptoms such as pain, vaginal bleeding, contractions or reduced fetal movements. This wellbeing ultrasound can help provide parents with reassurance that the baby is okay.

During this ultrasound, we determine the baby’s size and wellbeing. Parents may be anxious that their baby is not growing well, or perhaps that they are too small or too large. In some cases, you may have a condition that could affect the growth of the baby, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. We also view the placenta, the baby’s position as well as address any possible change in a concern which was noted on an earlier ultrasound examination.

If you have a twin/multiple pregnancy your babies are at a higher risk of growth issues during the pregnancy which is natural. Your twin babies, depending on the type of pregnancy, could also be at an increased risk of other difficulties and you may just want to be reassured that all is well.

Will I be able to see the scan?

Yes, the ultrasound is available for you to view on a large screen located at the end of the ultrasound couch. The sonographer will explain what you are looking at and point out various items to look at on the ultrasound. You will also be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat. We aim to make this ultrasound scan an enjoyable experience for you.

What to expect at Ultrasound Ireland?

When you arrive at Ultrasound Ireland you will be met by our receptionist. Your waiver will have been sent to you by text or email. You can then relax in our waiting area until the sonographer comes to meet you and take you into the scanning room. Your personal details from your completed waiver will be confirmed by the sonographer before beginning the scan.

What happens during the wellbeing baby pregnancy ultrasound scan?

The scan is a non-invasive transabdominal scan, and it is not necessary to attend the clinic with a full bladder for the wellbeing scan. An abdominal scan is performed by placing some gel and the transducer onto your abdomen.

Will I be able to find out the gender of my baby?

At 18 weeks or later we can determine the gender of your baby with a 97% accuracy. However, sometimes, the baby is not in a desirable position to see the gender. If you want to determine the gender of your baby, please let us know on your registration form and confirm with the sonographer at the start of your scan. Determining the gender of your baby depends on baby to be in a position that can allow the Sonographer to view the genital area and sometimes the baby may not oblige!

What will happen if a problem is suspected?

If at the time of scan a problem is suspected, you will be told at that stage that there may be a problem and advised to contact your obstetrician / family GP to discuss our findings in more detail. We will provide details of our findings for you and you are welcome to contact us for further clarification at any stage.

Do I need a doctor's referral for a pregnancy ultrasound?

Pregnancy scans at our centre are elective so you don't have to have a referral. Just call or email to make an appointment ( 01 210 0232 )

Can family members attend my ultrasound appointment?

A pregnancy scan is a family affair at our clinic, so you can share your baby scan experience by bringing whomever you want and as many people as you like.